How to deal with stress from the pandemic
Devina Parker, a licensed therapist gives us insight on what steps people can take to address mental issues that may have arose during the pandemic. We also hear from people on how they are coping during the pandemic.
"Just the definition of trauma is deeply distressing or disturbing experience.
This pandemic that we are going through, for many people is just that. Causing an increase in anxiety, depression, feelings of hopelessness, fear and it can increase suicidal thoughts," Devina Parker said.
Devina Parker is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in trauma. She says not many would attribute those things to the pandemic, but it could very well be that.
"Especially for those who were already struggling with this and the pandemic exacerbates this, it just makes it worse,” Parker said.
To help face this issue, she says we should all have a self-care plan.
"One, knowing what your triggers are. Knowing exactly what sets me off. What changes when I’m happy and then I automatically switch to being depressed or sad or maybe even enraged.
Secondly, knowing exactly what calms and relaxes you.
Lastly, which is the most important thing and I always preach this. Is incorporating that, doing that, every single day," Parker said.
I have started riding my bike to relieve stress and of course to get out of the house during the pandemic. And I'm not the only one. I now see a lot of my neighbors doing the exact same thing. According to ndp.com, adult leisure bike sales were up 121% in March.
What other activities are people doing to help themselves feel better during this time?
"My husband started a garden, and we go out in the garden. That is something we had been talking about a really long time, " said Kimberly Gaignard.
"Coming to the park more often, reading, " said Kiylereyune Daniels.
“Spending more time with family, " said Gabriel Kendrick.
"Bike riding, going outside do some activities, try to do some more as a family, family game nights stuff like that, " said Richard Boyce.
“I started making masks for my family for my friends. That has also helped me focus on something, something good, something positive, " said Daphne De Leon.
Devina says These activities and self-care habits we pick up the aren't a quick fix during the pandemic, but something we should on a regular basis.